Patna, July 2: The manager of a nationalised bank travelling unescorted with Rs 30 lakh in cash was shot dead by unknown motorcycle-borne assailants while he was returning to his branch after collecting the money from the main office in Sitamarhi this morning.

The assailants looted the money and escaped.

The incident took place around 10.30am when Ramswarth Ram, the 48-year-old manager of the Dumri Kala branch of Punjab National Bank, was returning to his place of posting from Sitamarhi town, about 40km away.

Three youths riding a motorcycle overtook the SUV in which Ram was travelling as it slowed down near Mohni Mandal village where the road is in bad shape. One of the youths riding pillion whipped out a gun and started firing indiscriminately.

Accompanying Ram was the assistant manager of an insurance company besides the driver of the vehicle. Both received bullet wounds and are being treated in hospital.

Ram, who was sitting on the rear seat of the vehicle, received six bullets and died of his wounds.

The insurance official, Varun Verma, was shot in the armpit and around the neck. Three bullets struck Verma while the driver of the vehicle, Mahesh Kumar, sustained injuries in his back and in the chest. Verma was sitting in the passenger seat next to the driver.

One of the assailants opened the door of the SUV and snatched the bag containing the money from Ram who had collapsed on the seat. The attackers then zoomed away with the cash towards Sitamarhi, leaving the three occupants of the vehicle bleeding profusely. The driver of the vehicle tried to escape but was shot in his back again.

On hearing the gunshots, local residents and passersby rushed to the spot and one of them informed the Riga police. The injured were taken to the Sadar hospital in Sitamarhi town, about 30km from the place of occurrence, where Ram was declared brought dead. Verma was referred to the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital in Muzaffarpur for better treatment.

Additional superintendent of police (Sitamarhi) Binod Kumar said the statements of the injured persons have been recorded. “We are scrutinising the list of criminal gangs operating in the area,” he said.

Sources said the police have zeroed in on two gangs led by Santosh Jha and Tuntun Singh respectively. However, no breakthrough has been made as yet.

Deputy inspector-general of police (Tirhut range) Amrit Raj said the borders of the district have been sealed and a manhunt launched to arrest the attackers. “It is surprising that the manager was carrying such a large amount of money without any police escort,” he said.

Amrit Raj said the superintendents of police of all districts falling under his jurisdiction have been asked to provide escort to those carrying large sums in cash from and to banks. “It is subject to investigation why the manager was travelling without any security,” he added.

The DIG, however, ruled out the involvement of Maoists in the incident.

Ram’s son Abhinav said his father had been mentally upset for the past few days. “Someone used to call him and exert pressure for a loan,” he told the police.

Ram, a native of Fatepur village in neighbouring Muzaffarpur district, stayed with his family in Sitamarhi town in a rented accommodation. He used to go to office in the SUV from Sitamarhi every day.

Sheohar superintendent of police Himanshu Shekhar Trivedi has been asked to probe the incident as his Sitamarhi counterpart P.K. Sinha is on leave.